Family of 15-Year-Old Killed in Boat Crash Files Lawsuit Against Parents of Teen Boat Driver
The complaint alleged that the parents allowed their son to operate their boat without "adult supervision" and "without checking for alcohol"
Collin Moorefield, 15, died on March 3, 2024, after a boat driven by an unsupervised teenager collided with a dock, per the complaint
The lawsuit alleged the boat operator was under the influence of alcohol and distracted by his phone
“He was known for his ability to make you laugh, his handsome smile, genuine respect for others, thoughtfulness, adventurous spirit, and easygoing personality," read Collin's obituary
The family of a 15-year-old boy who was killed in a March 3 boat crash in Florida is suing the parents of a teen who was driving the boat at the time of crash.
The estate of the victim, Collin Moorefield, alleged the driver, who was also 15 at the time, was under the influence of alcohol. They cited his age as well as his level of experience when he drove the boat in a complaint reviewed by PEOPLE.
Filed on Aug. 12 with the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit by Collin’s estate against the teen driver’s parents, Anjan Tharakan and Katherine Tharakan, the complaint said the Tharakans owned and controlled the 18-foot boat, the Key West. It alleged the couple purchased the boat so that their 15-year-old son — identified in the complaint as C.T. — could take out “his friends on the Key West alone, without adequate experience, adult supervision, and/or a lookout.”
The complaint added that the parents should have accompanied C.T. on the March 3 voyage but instead allowed him to operate the boat alone. On that day, according to the filing, C.T. invited Collin to ride on the Key West.
“Anjan and Katherine allowed this—C.T. to take the Key West out on the waters of Tampa Bay without adult supervision, without a lookout, and without checking for alcohol—despite knowing that they were taking their other, larger boat out later that same day and could have taken the boys, C.T. and Collin Moorefield, with them,” read the complaint.
C.T. drove the Key West southwest from Venetian Isles in St. Petersburg, asserted the complaint, adding that he operated the boat at or close to its top speed of 43.5 miles per hour “under the influence of alcohol and while distracted, focusing on his cell phone for a prolonged period. attempting to change the music he was playing over the Key West's speakers rather than focusing on his surroundings.”
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The complaint said the Key West narrowly missed a dock before striking the next dock and lower unit of a boat in St. Petersburg. As a result, Collin “suffered massive blunt force trauma” and was "violently cast overboard."
Authorities arrived to search for Colin and C.T. in the waters. Colin was eventually found after being underwater for a while due to his injuries, according to the complaint. He was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries that day. The cause of death, read the complaint, was “blunt force trauma and drowning.”
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“As a direct and proximate cause of Anjan’s, Katherine’s, and C.T.’s negligence, Collin Moorefield suffered permanent, fatal injuries, and other damage,” alleged the complaint.
The complaint also alleged that Collin’s survivors “suffered lost support and services, loss of Collin Moorefield’s companionship and protection, mental pain and suffering, funeral expenses, loss of instruction, and loss of guidance, and will continue to suffer these damages in the future for the remainder of their useful lives.”
Per the complaint, Collin’s family is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
At the time when he was pulled out of the water following the crash, C.T. told those who assisted him that he had been looking at his phone to change the music before the collision, the complaint alleged.
Ian Leavengood, an attorney representing Collin’s family, told PEOPLE in an Aug. 23 email that the family has declined to comment. PEOPLE has reached out to the Tharakans' for comment.
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According to a published obituary, Collin was born in Illinois. His family moved to St. Petersburg when Collin was about 3 years old. At the time of his death, Collin was in the eighth grade.
“Athletic and a devoted team player, Collin participated in sports year-round, including, cross country, soccer, football, basketball, track, and lacrosse,” read the obituary. “His passions were music, fishing, and food. He played guitar and bass guitar, memorizing songs from reggae to classic rock.”
Collin is survived by his parents, two siblings and grandparents.
“He was known for his ability to make you laugh, his handsome smile, genuine respect for others, thoughtfulness, adventurous spirit, and easygoing personality,” the obituary also stated.
The court filing did not list the Tharakans' legal representation.
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